Vinh Son: A destination that evokes a multitude of emotions

Vinh Son commune is located more than 100 km from the center of Gia Lai province, at an average elevation of 600-900 meters above sea level. It boasts a cool climate year-round, majestic mountainous landscapes and numerous pristine rivers, streams and waterfalls. Vinh Son is home to several famous scenic attractions, such as: Ta Kon Stone Citadel, Hang Doi waterfall, Lo Pin waterfall and Nguyen Hue orange orchard. Additionally, Vinh Son Hydropower reservoir, with its calm, clear blue waters, is an ideal spot for camping, relaxation and photography.

According to Village Elder Dinh Chuong of K8 Village, the name “Ta Kon” in the language of the Bahnar ethnic people means “stacked upon one another”. This refers to stones arranged in a unique, stacked formation stretching for hundreds of meters, a structure resembling a formidable wall rising amidst the mountains and forests that shields the villagers from wind and rain, as well as from invading enemies. Historically, Ta Kon Citadel served as an upland base for the Tay Son insurgent forces. From 1945 to 1962, it functioned as a revolutionary base and a stronghold for the Vinh Thanh Liberation Army during the resistance wars against French colonialists and American imperialists.

Lo Pin Stream is an upstream water source feeding into Reservoir A of the Vinh Son Hydropower Plant, surrounded by primeval forest. The winding stream boasts stunning scenery and beautiful waterfalls, with the three-tiered waterfall and Lo Pin Waterfall being the most captivating attractions for visitors. Bathing in these headwaters allows you to experience the pristine beauty of the mountains and forests amidst a breathtakingly poetic landscape.

Vinh Son is also distinguished by the unique cultural identity of the Bana Kriem ethnic community. The local Bana people preserve a wealth of traditional cultural values both tangible and intangible, that are deeply intertwined with their daily lives and the natural environment. Every two years, the commune authorities organize a Bana gong cultural festival; this event serves as a distinctive spiritual highlight, bringing together performing arts troupes from various villages. Additionally, the peach blossom festival held shortly before the Lunar New Year is always a signature tourism event. Spanning two to three days, the festival offers visitors from near and far the chance to admire the brilliant beauty of peach blossoms amidst the mountains and forests, while enjoying local delicacies and experiencing the gong music and “Xoang” dances that embody the rich cultural heritage of the Bana people.

The cuisine of Vinh Son boasts a unique character. Visitors can savor specialties such as bitter rattan shoots, cassava leaves stewed with pork, forest snails, bamboo-tube rice, free-range chicken grilled with lemon basil (“e” leaves) and bamboo shoot salad. Notably, the aromatic jar wine of the Bana people never fails to leave a lasting impression on diners.

Situated in the heart of Vinh Son commune and established just over a year ago, the Bahnar cultural exhibition house preserves a wide array of traditional cultural and artistic elements ranging from musical instruments like the T’rung, P’long Khong, zither (dan bau), gongs,and drums to weaving looms and antique wine jars, as well as primitive tools such as axes, hoes and crossbows, offering visitors insight into the labor, production activities and spiritual life of the Bana people.

With its blend of pristine natural beauty and rich cultural identity, Vinh Son commune promises visitors unforgettable experiences. In 2026, Gia Lai province will host the National Tourism Year under the theme “Great forests touching the blue sea”. In order to mark this special occasion, plan a road trip with friends or family or join a tour to explore the captivating beauty of the Vinh Son mountains; fully immerse yourself in wonderful moments amidst nature and find a sense of peace in the heart of the majestic wilderness.

The arrival of tourists will help Vinh Son commune achieve its 2026 goals: attracting 36,000 visitors from within and outside the province for sightseeing and leisure (a 20% increase), generating 7 billion VND in tourism revenue (up 16.6%) and establishing 6-8 homestays and accommodation facilities (a 100% increase compared to 2024), all by leveraging the locality’s potential, strengths and natural, cultural, traditional craft resources./.